Ruth Gertrude Johnson

Ruth Gertrude Johnson age 94 of Mill Creek, Washington passed away peacefully on January 17, 2020. Ruth was born to Dewy and Gracia Zornes of Des Moines, Iowa on August 13, 1925. Ruth attended and graduated from Des Moines' Roosevelt High School in June of 1943. Ruth met her future husband Warren (Gus) Johnson in 1941 while Warren was attending Drake University in Des Moines. Ruth and Warren were married in St Louis, Missouri on December 27, 1942. After Warren's service in the US Army during World War II, Ruth and Warren eventually moved to Everett Washington where Warren worked in the broadcasting industry. Together,Ruth and Warren raised three children; Margo, Roger and Cash.

In 1959, the family moved to the Shoreline, Washington area where Warren worked in television advertising and real estate and Ruth pursued her 20 year career in Specialty Item Sales with local retailer, Fredrick & Nelson's Department Stores. Ruth worked at the Aurora Village location. After the children were out on their own, Ruth and Warren loved to travel throughout Northwest and especially enjoyed their frequent visits to Vancouver and Victoria B.C. Some of these visits north included family; sometimes it was close friends but often it was just the two of them together for a romantic getaway. Ruth and Warren loved to stay at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. Ruth often said "If we win the Lottery, we should just move into the Empress!"

After Warren passed away in 1994, Ruth made the decision to continue her interest in all things Northwest and for the next 10 years Ruth was a Volunteer Guide at the Seattle Art Museum. "The SAM" was the perfect place for Ruth to meet people from all over the world and share with them her knowledge and her love of our Northwest culture and history.

Ruth is survived by daughter Margo Johnson (Seattle) and sons' Roger/Christine Johnson/grandchildren Jessica & Connor (Everett) and Cash/Gina/grandchild Kayla Johnson (Edmonds). Sister Sheila Bell and her Husband Jim Bell (Omaha, Nebraska) and cousin Ms. Phyllis Harwell, Los Osos CA.

A private Service will be held at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409Filbert Rd. in Lynnwood WA 98036 on Monday February 3rd, 2020. Please visit www.floralhillslynnwood.com to leave your condolences on Ruth's online guestbook.